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Workshop aims to keep kids off drugs, boost families

Developed by J. David Hawkins and Richard Catalano of the University of Washington, the program will help people learn how to develop clear standards for children, manage conflict and involving everyone in building a stronger family.

Workshop aims to keep kids off drugs, boost families

Kyra Loomans, 9, left, and Madison Mela, 10, both of Wausau, play air hockey Friday at the Boys & Girls Club in Wausau. The Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps, the AOD Partnership Council and Girls Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes will offer a workshop series called Guiding Good Choices designed to improve family relationships and reduce the risk that children will use drugs. The program is aimed at parents and those who work with children in grades 4 through 8.
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WAUSAU – A coalition of groups that advocate for youth and fight drug abuse are offering a program meant to improve families and reduce the chance children will use drugs.

Guiding Good Choices is a nationally-known, interactive program for parents, family members and professionals who work with and care for children in grades four through eight. Developed by J. David Hawkins and Richard Catalano of the University of Washington, the program will help people learn how to develop clear standards for children, manage conflict and involve everyone in building a stronger family.

The free workshop will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6, 13 and 20 at the Family Resource Center, 705 S. 24th Ave., Wausau.

“It’s an evidence-based program that’s been around for a number of years,” said Melissa Dotter, the Drug Free Communities Program coordinator for Marathon County. “I think (talking about alcohol and drugs) is a difficult topic for parents. The landscape is different for parents today when compared to when they grew up. There’s the sheer amount of media, for one thing.”

Hawkins and Catalano developed Guiding Good Choices using research that has shown that when children are bonded to their parents, school and non-drug using peers, they are less likely to try drugs or have behavior problems.

It’s not a coincidence that the program aims at the late-elementary and middle-school age group.

“The transition between elementary age to middle school is a key time in childhood development,” Dotter said. “When you look at it, it’s the time when children start to react to their parents differently, peers become more important, and it’s when they may first use a substance.”

Brian Stezenski-Williams, the executive director for the Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area, said the agency often works with the AOD Partnership to help steer children in a positive direction. The workshop provides a good opportunity for parents to learn how to talk in a constructive way with their children about drugs and alcohol.

“These are huge problems in our area and across the country,” Stezenski-Williams said. “And it seems like there’s been more of it going on in our area with drugs like heroin.”

Marshfield Clinic, the Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps office, the AOD Partnership Council, the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes and other organizations have banded together to offer the program.

Judy Yang, the reaching out manager for the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, said the Girl Scouts supported the program because it fits into the organization’s goals.

“Anytime we can be proactive and help families to help educate children how to stay away things that could be potentially harmful, it’s a good thing,” Yang said.

Keith Uhlig can be reached at 715-845-0651. Find him on Twitter as @UhligK.

If you go

What: Guiding Good Choices, to help improve family relationships and reduce the risk children use drugs

When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 6, 13 and 20

Where: Family Resource Center, , 705 S. 24th Ave., Wausau.

Cost: Free

You should know: Dinners will be offered at 5:30 p.m., and child care will be available for children older than 2.

For more information: Or to register, people may log on to www.northwoodsggc.org or by calling 1-800-898-9472.